OPINION: Boks must consider Janse van Rensburg
If the Springboks are to select players based on current form, Lions centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg needs to be called up, writes Gareth Jenkinson.
The Lions have had one of their best years to date which culminated in a Super Rugby final and a second-place finish in the Southern Hemisphere competition. Fittingly, that led to a number of Lions players earning their first Springbok caps this year.
However, Janse van Rensburg is the unluckiest player of the Lions lot to not have been involved in the Springbok setup this season.
The 22-year-old centre has been a force in the Lions midfield this season and stood out as one of the upcoming stars of South African rugby. He scored 10 tries in Super Rugby, just one behind the leading scorer Israel Folau. He is a prolific attacking centre and is gifted with impressive speed for his 109 kg frame.
As is the case with young players, there is no need to throw the Lions centre straight into the Bok starting XV but there certainly wouldn't be any harm in bringing him into the Springbok setup for the rest of the year.
Stormers inside centre Damian de Allende has been off the boil this season and has failed to fire for the Springboks. Bok coach Allister Coetzee clearly realised this and employed Juan de Jongh at 12 in the last two Rugby Championship clashes. Unfortunately the Blitzbok and Stormers midfielder also underwhelmed in both of those losses.
One also has to feel for Lionel Mapoe, who enjoyed a very successful Super Rugby campaign playing outside of Janse van Rensburg. Returning to the Bok fold in June, he didn't have the same effect for the national side as he did at the Lions. That eventually led to him being dropped for Jesse Kriel.
Perhaps Mapoe would be more effective if paired with his provincial mate in the Test arena?
The Springboks will name their squad for the final two Rugby Championship clashes later this week. While it's hard to imagine that there will be wholesale changes, one can only hope that Coetzee will consider calling up the likes of Janse van Rensburg.
The youngster deserves a shot. Of course there are areas of his game that need development but his form and confidence would no doubt see him make the most of a Springbok call up.
A prime example is the impact Michaelhouse old boy Ruan Combrinck made this year. The Lions wing was easily the best in his position during the Super Rugby competition and riding on that confidence, scored on debut for the Springboks and made a massive difference in their attack out wide.
Why not give Janse van Rensburg the same opportunity and blood a prolific talent sooner rather than later?
If you're not too familiar with the Lions centre, check out some of his best plays from the 2016 season: